Driving without front shocks bad or really bad?

[Abscate]

[Xevin]

[Volswagon]

Or one if by land, two if by sea?
_________________
I know the pieces fit, cos I watched them fall away.
Wanna hear God laugh? Just talk about your plans.

'75 Bus https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=697183&highlight=

[79SuperVert]

[babysnakes]

Why is this thread still breathing? Oh, the pain reminds us we are still alive!

[wcfvw69]

[timvw7476]

well, the 'bad or really bad?' phrase does not do it justice.
more like: 'leads to fatality or fatalities?'
shock absorbers are really popular for a reason, we all like getting to our
destination.
May I recommend buckling up & not using you phone while you drive as well?

[timvw7476]

well, the 'bad or really bad?' phrase does not do it justice.
more like: 'leads to fatality or fatalities?'
shock absorbers are STILL really popular for a reason, we all like getting to our
destination.
May I recommend buckling up & not using you phone while you drive as well?

[Abscate]

Those videos made this thread totally awesome.
_________________
.ssS!

[jtauxe]

Hmm...

OP says that he has been driving with no shock for awhile now...

OP says that he now hears a squeak, which is likely from a broken torsion leaf...

People with knowledge, some of it first hand, answer his question about whether he should go on a 250-mile trip in this condition. All in the negative.

And yet, everything seems fine.

1 + 1 = I dunno. 0?

OK, man. Clearly, you're good to go!
_________________
John
"Travelling in a fried-out Kombi, on a hippie trail, head full of zombie..." - Colin Hay and Ron Strykert
http://vw.tauxe.net
1969 Transporter, 1971 Westfalia, 1976, 1977, 1976, 1977, 1971, 1973, 1977 Westfalias,
1979 Champagne Sunroof, 1974 Westfalia Automatic, 1979 Transporter, 1972 Sportsmobile, 1973 Transporter Wild Westerner, 1974 Westfalia parts bus, 1975 Mexican single cab *FOR SALE*, 1978 Irish 4-door double cab RHD

[James Dwan]

[James Dwan]

I drove around 300 miles into the Texas back country a few weeks ago and didn't have any issues other than the squeakiness. The handling wasn't great but I have been driving a bus since 1990 and can pretty much compensate for the squirrelyness

So yesterday I added more grease after replacing the fittings, I was able to pump enough so that it leaked out both sides near the ball joints
I then filled the center one until the grease cam out under neath the center link pin. I then installed KYB gas shocks.

I drove it around and didn't hear any squeaking as before, until I turned around.
So it does still squeak when turning or hitting a bump, but it is upwards of 80% better.

The ball joints were replaced about a year ago and all the boots are in tact.
I am wondering what else to check, there are only 3 zerk fittings upfront correct?
_________________
DAC
TCB
'59 23 Window Deluxe
'73/'77 Westfakia
'78 SuperVert

"Many dreams come true, and some have silver linings.
I live for my dreams and a pocket full of gold. Acapulco gold!" Robert Plant

[skills@eurocarsplus]

[James Dwan]

Where are the other 2? I don't have any on the ball joints.
_________________
DAC
TCB
'59 23 Window Deluxe
'73/'77 Westfakia
'78 SuperVert

"Many dreams come true, and some have silver linings.
I live for my dreams and a pocket full of gold. Acapulco gold!" Robert Plant

[Abscate]

The danger here is that a test drive will go fine, and a shock-less car driver will think, ok, this will work fine.

When you hit the right combination of bumps, wallows, etc that resonantly transfer the energy into the torsion bars (that is, the bumps are akin to pushing a swing at the end of its travel) then either a loss of control, or broken leaves, will result - probably both.

if you do hit something, and get inspected, the stupidity tax on this one should be high enough to convince you from trying it again.
_________________
.ssS!

[SGKent]

[James Dwan]

Thanks! I missed the 2 near the front.
_________________
DAC
TCB
'59 23 Window Deluxe
'73/'77 Westfakia
'78 SuperVert

"Many dreams come true, and some have silver linings.
I live for my dreams and a pocket full of gold. Acapulco gold!" Robert Plant

[James Dwan]

[SGKent]

[danfromsyr]

maybe it's because this thread is titled